JPH03185433A - Indication device within finder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively use both external light and an LED and to increase the degree of freedom in miniaturization and structure by making the light from an internal light source incident from one end of an optical fiber and the light of the external light lighting part incident from the other end and illuminating a liquid crystal display device with the light. CONSTITUTION:The surface of the partial section D of an optical fiber ribbon 10 is scabrously processed to obtain a light diffusing part 10e. One end of the ribbon 10 is arranged to be opposed to the LEd 13 provided on a pentagonal prism 2 and the other end thereof is arranged to be opposed to the external light lighting part 15. The light from the LED 13 and the lighting part 15 passes through the light guiding parts 10c and 10d of the ribbon 10 to be diffused by the light diffusing part 10e and the display of the liquid crystal display device is illuminated. Thus, a liquid crystal element is always illuminated with proper quantity of light by using the external light when the quantity of the external light is proper and by lighting the internal light source when the quan tity of the external light is not sufficient. Then, the degree of freedom of the miniaturization and the structure is increased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an in-finder display device in a 35 mm-eye reflex camera.

B. PRIOR TECHNOLOGY It is known that a liquid crystal display device is used to display information such as exposure in the finder of a 35 mm eye reflex camera. In this case, the liquid crystal element is illuminated using external light or light from a light emitting element such as an LED.

For cameras that use external light, the liquid crystal element is installed in front of the pentaprism, and the third part of the pentaprism
Light enters the pentaprism from near the reflective surface.

In the case of using an LED, a liquid crystal element is provided near the bottom surface of the pentaprism, and light is made to enter the pentaprism from the bottom surface of the pentaprism.

Problems that the C1 invention attempts to solve However, these had the following problems.

For cameras that use external light, in order to match the diopter with the focus plate, space is required to incorporate a reflection mechanism to equalize the optical path length, which has been an obstacle to miniaturizing and reducing costs of cameras. . Furthermore, in cameras with a built-in flash, the flash emitting section is often placed in front of the pentaprism, which poses a problem in installing an external light lighting section.

On the other hand, those using LEDs have the disadvantage that the LED must be turned on whenever the photographer looks through the finder, resulting in rapid battery consumption.

Furthermore, devices that use both external light and LEDs and turn on the LED only when there is insufficient external light cannot eliminate the same drawbacks as those that use only external light.

The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to effectively use both external light and LEDs for illuminating a liquid crystal display device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has constructed the following viewfinder display device that can effectively use both external light and LED for illuminating a liquid crystal display device. .

(i) A display member observed in the viewfinder, an internal light source that is a light emitter installed inside the camera, an external light lighting section that introduces light from outside the camera, and a side surface in the section that illuminates the display member. It is characterized by comprising an optical fiber having a transmission section capable of further dispersing light, a - end surface through which light from the internal light source is incident, and another end surface through which light from the external light-collecting section is incident. Display device in the viewfinder.

(ii) A display member observed within the viewfinder, an internal light source that is a light emitter installed inside the camera, an external light lighting section that introduces light from outside the camera, and a side surface in the section that illuminates the display member. a transmission section capable of further dispersing light, an optical fiber constituting a first portion through which light from the internal light source enters from both end faces, and a transmission section capable of dispersing light from the side in a section illuminating the display member. , and an optical fiber constituting a second portion through which light from the external light-collecting section enters from both end faces, and the first
an optical fiber ribbon in which optical fibers constituting the section and optical fibers constituting the second section are arranged alternately in parallel in a section where light can be dissipated from a side surface in a section illuminating the display member; A display device in the viewfinder that is characterized by:

(ii) A display member observed within the viewfinder, an internal light source that is a light emitting body installed inside the camera, an external light lighting section that introduces light from outside the camera, and a section that illuminates the display member, a first optical fiber ribbon having a transmission portion capable of dissipating light from the side surface and having both end surfaces into which light from the internal light source is incident; a second optical fiber ribbon having a transmission section and both end surfaces through which light from the outside light-collecting section is incident; An in-finder display device characterized in that the second optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon are arranged so as to overlap each other.

80 action When the amount of external light is appropriate, the external light is used, and when it is insufficient, the internal light source is turned on, so that the liquid crystal element is always properly illuminated. When the amount of external light is sufficient, it is not necessary to turn on the internal light source.

Since the optical fiber ribbon is thin and flexible, the illumination mechanism using external light is simplified, and the display member can be installed more easily, making it possible to downsize the camera. There are fewer restrictions on setting the lighting position of external light, and the degree of freedom in the structure of the camera is increased.

F. Example A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of a portion including a finder and a pentaprism of a camera showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1st
In the figure, 1 is a focusing plate, 2 is a pentaprism, 3 is an eyepiece, 4 is a bayonet mount, 5 is a camera top cover, 6 is a camera body, 7 is a back cover, 8 is a focal plane shutter unit, and 9 is a liquid crystal display equipment (hereinafter referred to as LC)
10 is an optical fiber ribbon, 11 is a holder 11a is a reflective member of the holder, and 12 is a prism.

An image of the subject formed on the focusing plate by a photographing lens (not shown) supported by a bayonet mount 4 passes through the pentaprism 2 and the eyepiece 3 along the optical path A, and enters the photographer's eye and is observed.

On the other hand, the LCD 9 is a liquid crystal display device for displaying exposure information, etc., and is illuminated by light transmitted by an optical fiber ribbon 10 as described below.

The optical fiber ribbon 10 is attached to the LCD by the holder 11.
It is supported on the back of 9. The light diffused from the optical fiber ribbon 10 is directly or indirectly reflected by the reflective member 11a of the holder 11 to illuminate the LCD 9 from the back side. The illuminated light displayed on the LCD 9 enters the prism 12, passes through the optical path B, the pentaprism 2 and the eyepiece 3, and is observed by the photographer.

Next, using FIGS. 2 and 3, the optical fiber ribbon 10
I will explain in detail.

The optical fiber ribbon 10 is mainly composed of a plurality of flexible optical fibers 30.

As shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 2, the optical fiber 30 consists of a core part 31 with a low refractive index and an outer peripheral part 32 with a high refractive index, and a part of the outer peripheral part 32 has a roughened surface. It has a portion 33 (section D).

The end faces at both ends are smooth so that light can enter efficiently.

The light beam from the light source 13 that enters the end face of the optical fiber 30 is transmitted through repeated internal reflections in the same way as a normal optical fiber until it reaches the section. Here, the section is the section in which the LCD is illuminated.

In the roughened portion 33, the light is not internally reflected, but becomes scattered light and is dissipated to the outside of the optical fiber 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the optical fiber ribbon 10 is composed of a plurality of bundled unit optical fibers 30 as a main component. The plurality of optical fibers 30 are at least L
In the section including the section for dispersing the light beam for illuminating the CD, - six optical fibers with a diameter of about 0.3 mm in the embodiment are formed in a ribbon shape in parallel flatly so that a few or a few overlap. 30 is formed into a single ribbon, an appropriate arrangement can be selected depending on the type and size of the display member, the type of light source, the thickness of the fibers, etc.

Light scattering section 10 corresponding to the section of optical fiber ribbon 10
e is connected to both end portions via light guide portions tOC and 10d on both sides in the light transmission direction, and each end portion is bound by caps 14a and 14b (not shown), respectively. Both end surfaces 10a and 10b (not shown) are smooth so that the end surfaces of the plurality of optical fibers 30 are aligned and light is efficiently incident.

The light beams incident from both end surfaces 10a and 10b of the optical fiber ribbon 10 are diffused in sections, and the light scattering parts 10e corresponding to the sections of the optical fiber ribbon 10 form a surface light source.

Next, using FIG. 4, the optical fiber ribbon lO of this example will be explained.
This section explains how to bring in sunlight. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pentaprism seen from the rear, and the same elements as in FIG.

Light scattering section 10 corresponding to the section of optical fiber ribbon 10
e is provided on the back surface of the LCD 9, and one light guide section 10d connected thereto is guided along the side surface of the pentaprism 2, is installed on the upper part of one roof surface 2b of the pentaprism 2, and is bundled with a base 14b. You will be guided to the terminal section where you are. The end face of this terminal portion is the end face lOb.

The other light guide section 10C connected to the other light scattering section 10e is guided along the side surface of the pentaprism 2, and is connected to the other light scattering section 10e.
is installed on the upper part of the other roof surface 2a, and is led to a terminal part that is bundled with a base 14a. The end face of this terminal portion is the end face 10a.

An LED 13 is provided on the top of one roof surface 2b, facing one end surface 10b of the optical fiber ribbon 10, and an outside light is provided on the top of the other roof surface 2a, allowing light to pass through a part of the upper cover 5. A portion 15 is provided, and the other end surface lOa of the optical fiber ribbon lO faces the light transmitting portion 15a.

The light emitted from the LED 13 is transmitted to the optical fiber ribbon 1
0 from one end surface 10b of the light guide section 10 on the negative side.
d, and is diffused in the light scattering section 10e.

On the other hand, the light incident from the outside light-collecting section 15 enters from the other end surface 10a of the optical fiber ribbon IO, passes through the other light guide section 10c, and is diffused at the light scattering section 10e.

The diameter of the optical fiber 30 in this example is 0°3 mm.
Therefore, the optical fiber ribbon lO is placed below the eyepiece 3 of the camera, the focus plate l and the shutter unit 6.
It is possible to install it in a narrow space between the two and illuminate the display on the LCD 9 from the back side.

As described above, in this embodiment, an optical fiber is used to illuminate the LCD, and from one end of the optical fiber, the LE
Since the light from D is made to enter externally from the other end, even if the LCD display is installed below the eyepiece in a narrow space between the reticle and the shutter unit, both the external light and the LED can be used. lighting is possible.

5 and 6 show the optical fiber ribbon 1 of the second embodiment.
This shows how to bring in light to 0. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the optical fiber ribbon 10 installed on the pentaprism of the camera, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the optical fiber ribbon 10.
FIG. In FIG. 5, the same elements as in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

The optical fiber ribbon 10 in this embodiment includes a plurality of optical fibers 30, which include a first part of the optical fiber ribbon through which light from an internal light source enters from both end faces, and an optical fiber ribbon through which light from an external lighting section enters from both end faces. The first portion is distributed to the first terminal portions 10j and 10k via the light guide portions 10g and 10h, and the second portion is distributed to the second portion via the light guide portions 10f and 10i. The first end portions are connected to the end portions 101 and 10m, and the first end portion is fastened to the cap 14b, and the second end portion is fastened to the cap 14a, respectively.

The optical fibers 30 constituting the first portion and the optical fibers 30 constituting the second portion are arranged alternately in parallel in the sections. Both end faces 1゜j, 10k and 101
, 10 m, the end faces of the plurality of optical fibers 30 are aligned and smooth so that light can enter efficiently.

The light scattering portions 10e corresponding to the sections form a surface light source as in the first embodiment.

Light scattering section 10 corresponding to the section of optical fiber ribbon 10
e is provided on the back side of the LCD 9.

The light guiding portion 10h of the optical fiber 30 constituting the first portion is guided along the side surface of the pentaprism 2, and is guided to a terminal portion that is bundled with a cap 14b installed above one roof surface 2b of the pentaprism 2. It will be destroyed. The end face of this terminal portion is the end face 10. Also, the light guiding portion 10g of the optical fiber 30, which also constitutes the first portion, is guided along the side surface of the pentagonal prism 2, and further passes over the top of the roof 2c to the base 14b installed on the top of the roof surface 2b on the opposite side. It is guided to the terminal part where it is bundled. The end face of this terminal portion is an end face 10j.

The light guide portion lO1 of the optical fiber 30 constituting the second portion is guided along the side surface of the pentagonal prism 2, and is further guided along the side surface of the pentaprism 2c.
, and is guided to a terminal portion that is bundled with a cap 14a installed on the top of the other roof surface 2a. The end face of this terminal portion is the end face Ion. The light guiding portion 10f of the optical fiber 30, which also constitutes the second portion, is guided along the side surface of the pentaprism 2, and the terminal portion is bundled with a cap 14a installed above the other roof surface 2a of the pentaprism 2. be led to. The end face of this terminal portion is the end face 101.

An LED l 3 is provided on the upper part of one roof surface 2b, and the negative end surface 10j of the optical fiber ribbon 10.

Opposed to 10k and at the upper part of the other roof surface 2a, an external light lighting section 15 is provided, and is opposed to the other end surface 10m of the optical fiber ribbon IO.

The light emitted from the LED 13 is transmitted through the optical fiber ribbon 1
The light enters from the − end faces toj and lOk of O, and the light guide unit 10
g and 10h, and is then diffused at the light scattering section 1°e.

On the other hand, the light incident from the outside light-collecting section 15 enters from the other end face IO1, 10m of the optical fiber ribbon 10, passes through the other light guide sections 10f and 10i, and is diffused at the light scattering section 10e.

The light diffused by the light scattering section 10e illuminates the LCD 9, and the display on the LCDe is observed by the photographer as described above.

In this embodiment, since the above configuration is adopted, the LC
The D display can be placed below the eyepiece in a narrow space between the focus plate and the shutter unit.

In this way, both ends of each optical fiber 30 constituting the fiber ribbon 10 are guided to the same light source, so that no matter which of the 10 meters of light is incident on the end faces 10j, 10k, and 10, the section is irradiated. In this embodiment, a light beam that enters from one end exits from the other end and is attenuated, so that the luminous efficiency of the display section is less likely to be degraded.

Also, regarding the optical fiber ribbon 30, since light from one light source enters from both ends thereof, uneven illumination due to attenuation in the light guiding portion is eliminated, and uniformity of illumination in the section is increased.

FIG. 7 shows a method of introducing light into an optical fiber in the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same elements as in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers 30, a first optical fiber ribbon 20 that allows light from an internal light source to enter from both end faces, and a second optical fiber ribbon 20 that allows light from an external light source to enter from both end faces. The length of the fiber optic ribbon 21 is 2m.

The first optical fiber ribbon 20 includes light guide portions 20a and 2
The end portion of the second optical fiber ribbon 21 is bound by the base 14b via the light guide portions 21a and 21b.

The light scattering section 20e of the first optical fiber ribbon 20 and the light scattering section 21e of the second optical fiber ribbon 21 corresponding to the section illuminating the LCD 9 are overlapped to form a surface light source, and are provided on the back surface of the LCD 9.

The LHD 1 is installed on the upper part of the roof surface 2b of the pentaprism 2.
3 is provided, facing the end surface of the first optical fiber ribbon 20, and an external light lighting section 15 is provided on the upper part of the other roof surface 2a, facing the end surface of the second optical fiber ribbon 21.

The light emitted from the LED 13 enters from the end surface of the first optical fiber ribbon 20, passes through the light guide sections 20a and 20b, and is diffused at the light scattering section 20e.

On the other hand, the light incident from the outside light-collecting section 15 enters from the end surface of the second optical fiber ribbon 21, passes through other light guide sections 21a and 21b, and is diffused at the light scattering section 21e.

The light diffused in the light scattering parts 20e and 21e is displayed on the LCD 9.
is illuminated, and the display on the LCD 9 is observed by the photographer as described above.

In this embodiment, since the above configuration is adopted, the LC
The D display can be placed below the eyepiece in a narrow space between the focus plate and the shutter unit.

In addition, it is possible to illuminate with both external light and LED, and the first optical fiber ribbon 20 and the second optical fiber ribbon 2
Since both ends of the display unit 1 are directed toward the same light source, it is less likely that a light beam entering from one end will exit from the other end and be attenuated, reducing the luminous efficiency of the display section. Furthermore, uneven illumination due to attenuation in the light guiding portion is eliminated.

Further, in this embodiment, since the amount of light incident from the outside lighting section 15 is usually larger than the light emitted from the LED 13 during the day, the arrangement in the light diffusion sections 20e and 21e is LC.
A first optical fiber ribbon 20 that guides the light emitted from the LED 13 on the D9 side, and an outside light lighting section 15 on the reflective member 11a side.
It is preferable that the second optical fiber ribbon 21 guides the light incident from the optical fiber ribbon 21.

Further, in this embodiment, the first optical fiber ribbon 20
The second optical fiber ribbon 21 and two independent optical fiber ribbons are used, but each optical fiber is connected to a plurality of light guiding parts from one optical fiber ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers overlapped in the light scattering part. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the light is distributed and guided to the LED 13 and the outside light lighting section 15.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, an LED was used as an internal light source for illuminating the optical fiber ribbon 20, but other light sources such as a light bulb may be used. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the LCD is installed on the side of the Pender prism so that the display appears next to the finder screen. Furthermore, in this example, the light source for internal lighting and the lighting window for external light were located at the top of the roof surface of the Penda prism.
Installation at other locations is also possible.

(Effects) According to the present invention, when the amount of external light is appropriate, the external light source is turned on, and when it is insufficient, the internal light source is turned on, so that the liquid crystal element is always illuminated with the appropriate amount of light, and when taking pictures. It became easier.

Furthermore, when the amount of external light is sufficient, there is no need to turn on the internal light source, eliminating wasted battery power.

Since the optical fiber ribbon is thin and flexible, the illumination mechanism using external light is simplified, and the degree of freedom in the structure of the camera is increased, allowing the camera to be made smaller.

In addition, the lighting mechanism is simply configured, the number of parts is reduced, and manufacturing costs are reduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the camera. FIG. 2 An explanatory diagram of the fiber. Figure 3: Explanatory diagram of optical fiber ribbon. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the fiber ribbon used in the second example. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the third embodiment. (Explanation of symbols of main parts) 2 Pentaprism 9 LCD 1o Optical fiber ribbon 13 LED 14a. 15 20.2 0 14b Base External light lighting section Optical fiber ribbon Optical fiber Figure 5 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (i) A display member that can be observed within a finder, an internal light source that is a light emitting body installed inside the camera, an external light lighting section that introduces light from outside the camera, and the display member an optical fiber having a transmission section capable of dissipating light from the side in a section illuminating the area, one end surface through which light from the internal light source is incident, and another end surface through which light from the external light daylighting section is incident; A display device in the viewfinder that is characterized by: (ii) A display member observed within the viewfinder, an internal light source that is a light emitter installed inside the camera, an external light lighting section that introduces light from outside the camera, and a side surface in the section that illuminates the display member. a transmission section capable of further dispersing light, an optical fiber constituting a first portion through which light from the internal light source enters from both end faces, and a transmission section capable of dispersing light from the side in a section illuminating the display member. , and an optical fiber constituting a second portion through which light from the external light-collecting section enters from both end faces, and the first
an optical fiber ribbon in which optical fibers constituting the section and optical fibers constituting the second section are arranged alternately in parallel in a section where light can be dissipated from a side surface in a section illuminating the display member; A display device in the viewfinder that is characterized by: (iii) A display member observed within the viewfinder, an internal light source that is a light emitting body installed inside the camera, an external light lighting section that introduces light from outside the camera, and a section that illuminates the display member, a first optical fiber ribbon having a transmission portion capable of dissipating light from the side surface and having both end surfaces into which light from the internal light source is incident; a second optical fiber ribbon having a transmission section and both end surfaces through which light from the outside light-collecting section is incident; An in-finder display device characterized in that the second optical fiber ribbon and the second optical fiber ribbon are arranged so as to overlap each other.